Wednesday, October 28, 2009

According to the very entertaining and informative "A Taste of Astrology" by Lucy Ash (Knopf, 1988)Scorpio, the sign presiding over this Halloween period of falling gem-colored leaves, remembrance, and deepening Autumn shadows has traditional food assocations that include cayenne, garlic, peppers, pine nuts, eggplant. Other food lore sources associate pumpkin, pomegranate, almonds, and star anise with Scorpio. This bento incorporates all of these foods and flavorings:

The Reston Farmer's Market closes for the season in two weeks. While waiting for its Spring return, it will be interesting to explore year round markets in the area, including Alexandria's Market Square, where "farmers and artists have been selling their products since 1753."

These pumpkin and spice treats are from Valentine Country Bakery in Orange, VA:

This bento was made with market eggplant, tomatoes, baby greens, and edible flowers. It reflects the sense of chill adventure and change in the air, as color and life intensifies before being sent underground for renewal and rebirth. In other words, Halloween is on the way!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Today's bento features tuna steak in a mirin-miso-sesame sauce, avocado slices, and radish flowers. Craving sweets as I often do when the temperatures drop, I added hazelnut chocolates from the Russian Gourmet shop in Alexandria (love the squirrel wrappers). Kiwis and papaya lend some summery color as we head into November weather earlier than expected....

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

A visit to the Union Square Greenmarket in NYC on a drizzly Friday morning last week more than fulfilled my expectations. The very human scale of the market, coiled around the park's green heart, offered bright-colored variety and selection at every table. The sounds and energy of the city surrounding the market seemed to intensify the vividness of everything grown and offered.

Beautiful fall fruits and vegetables glowed with good health. Especially fresh and delicate produce was available at the Lani's Farm stand, grown in Hightstown NJ with evident loving care:

Their nasturtium were a peppery delight and became a key bento element, as did their baby romaine and mizuna. I felt like the bento made itself, with these items migrating to their self-selected, natural places.

Peppers, squash and other fall produce in many varieties:

As were handcrafted cheeses and breads:

Flowers of many kinds:

and much more!

Afterwards, my brother Peter and I met up and discovered a very good Japanese place for lunch just a few of blocks away: Butai, 115 E 18th St. Excellent salmon teriyaki with crispy skin bento lunch, relaxed atmosphere, grey gentle breeze blowing through its open doors--a find!